Date: Wed 12 Dec 2012

London Irish scrum half Jack Moates admits he is relishing the opportunity to play first team rugby, and is working towards a regular starting spot for the Exiles.

The Academy player has featured in all three Amlin Challenge Cup games so far this season and is enjoying every minute he gets on the pitch.

Moates came on for the last 16 minutes against Gloucester Rugby on Saturday as the Cherry & Whites edged to a 29-22 victory.

But following the news that team mate Tomás O'Leary has been ruled out with a back injury, the 20-year-old is hoping to take any opportunity he gets with both hands.

"Obviously it's very disappointing that Tomás is out injured, but his absence gives me a good opportunity to get into the first team," he said.

"It's exciting to be involved in European competition - we got to go to Bordeaux in October and it was great to play in front of a French crowd. We also played at home to Mont de Marsan where I scored my first try and that was a good feeling - it's exciting playing against teams you wouldn't normally meet.

"We had a lot of the ball when I came on to the pitch on Saturday, we spent a lot of time in their 22 but we couldn't break them down - hopefully we can rectify that on Saturday."

The Exiles face Gloucester again this weekend at Kingsholm and Moates admits that the whole squad are itching to bounce back to winning ways.